A dry cleaning or laundry manager organises the work in dry cleaners and laundries and supervises the workers there. Some are in charge of dry cleaning shops and others are in charge of industrial laundries.

The Work

You could be:

• controlling budgets, keeping accounts and preparing invoices
• buying in supplies of specialist fabric cleaning fluids
• hiring, supervising and training staff
• supervising the different processes and dealing with any problems, either with the workers or with the smooth running of the machinery
• overseeing the repair and maintenance of the machinery
• in a dry cleaning shop, dealing with customers’ complaints and sometimes serving customers
• keeping records of use of solvents
• making sure that the business runs efficiently, safely and within current legislation
• serving customers and assisting with cleaning processes.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Salaries for dry cleaning or laundry managers range from £15,000 to £30,000 a year.

Conditions

• Laundries and dry cleaning plants can be hot, humid and noisy.
• Modern dry cleaning machines usually stop too much of the smell from escaping.
• In dry cleaning shops the environment is comfortable and clean.
• In laundry plants you will usually work regular hours, although there might be shifts.
• In coin-operated laundrettes you will have to work some evenings and weekends.
• In dry cleaning shops you will have to work on some Saturdays.
• You may wear a uniform, which would be provided.

Useful Subjects

• Business
• Chemistry

Getting In

• You may be able to start off through a Modern Apprenticeship and work your way up with experience.
• A good general education is useful.
• The most usual way for you to enter this career is to apply for promotion from laundry assistant level.
• Some of the larger companies may run management training schemes.
• A few companies do recruit graduates, especially for specialist posts. A degree related to chemistry, textiles or business management would be the most relevant.
• You should have normal colour vision and no allergies.

There are jobs in dry cleaning shops, dry cleaning or industrial laundry plants or in small laundries attached to hospitals or prisons. Some dry cleaners clean the garments on the premises. Others send them away to a central cleaning plant.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

What Does it Take?

You need:

• a polite manner with the public
• strong leadership qualities
• excellent communication skills
• organisational and planning skills
• numerical skills for accounts, bookkeeping and budgeting
• knowledge of how to use chemicals and solvents correctly and safely
• fitness and stamina
• the ability to make decisions
• to have an awareness of health and safety issues.

Training

• Training is normally on the job.
• The Guild of Cleaners and Launderers runs a Qualification Star Scheme (QSS) to the equivalent level of Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 2, covering retail sales, stain removal, garment finishing, dry cleaning practice and wet cleaning practice. They also provide examinations for laundry supervisors and managers. There are some Guild accredited training agencies in Scotland.
• You could also do an SVQ Level 2 (SCQF Level 5) in Dry Cleaning Operations.
• The Society of Hospital Linen Service and Laundry Managers (SHLSIM) offers training if you work in the healthcare linen service.

Getting On

• If you work for a company with a chain of stores, you could apply for promotion to area or regional manager.
• You could set up your own dry cleaning or laundry business.
• You could move into a different field of management such as human resources.
• If you are most interested in scientific aspects, you could move into research and development.

More Information

All dry cleaners who use solvents must be registered and hold a permit. They must keep records of the amount of solvent used and staff must be trained, including safety procedures.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.